CrowKing63's Review on Reddit of Thumb Soldiers Rest Kit on 8BitDo Lite SE
Image: 8BitDo Lite SE from front of the controller whilst flat on a surface - Shroom Soldier attachment (larger area thumbstick topper) on right-hand side (left thumbstick when playing) and Albatross Soldier attachment (T-bar shaped with upward ends) on left-hand side (right thumbstick when playing)
I have a muscle disorder that severely limits my range of motion. Because of this, I can’t use a standard gamepad and rely on specialized controllers like the 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller for Xbox. However, even with this, I can only move one stick using my thumb, and that’s not always easy.
One major issue I faced was that my thumb would frequently slip off the stick due to sweat while playing. Searching for a solution online, I came across Thumb Soldiers’ products. Among their options, I planned to purchase the Rest Kit, particularly because it included a wing-shaped stick that seemed like it would provide better grip for my thumb.
However, I noticed that the accessories designed to secure the sticks were only available for PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. Since my controller wasn’t listed, I wasn’t sure if it would be compatible. I decided to reach out to the developer via email, and to my surprise, I received an incredibly fast, friendly, and detailed response. Thanks to their support, I ultimately decided to purchase the PlayStation-compatible accessory (Knuckles) along with the Rest Kit sticks, and I’m happy to say that it worked exactly as I had imagined.
The sticks were actually smaller than I expected, but I ended up liking them even more because of it. The texture is noticeably rougher than standard sticks, which helps prevent slipping even when my hands get sweaty. Additionally, the wider surface area and multiple holes allow me to keep my thumb in place more easily for extended periods.
One minor challenge is that both the mounting accessory and the sticks themselves are quite tall, making it difficult to use them in my usual posture. However, adjusting my posture solved the issue. Interestingly, I originally thought I would prefer the wing-shaped stick, but after using them, I actually like the mushroom-shaped one even more. These are the kinds of things you only realize after trying them for yourself.
Not only am I grateful that adaptive accessories like this exist, but I was also deeply impressed by the excellent customer support from the seller. That’s why I wanted to share my experience here—hopefully, more people can discover and benefit from these solutions.
